The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) is warning employers about recent incidents in which a man has allegedly impersonated a Cal/OSHA inspector and defrauded restaurant owners. The incidents have occurred in Southern California and in Roseville (near Sacramento).
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According to Cal/OSHA, the suspect produces what appears to be valid identification and then inspects the workplace and finds alleged safety violations. He allegedly tells the business owners that the violations will add up to thousands in fines but that he won’t issue citations if the owners give him cash. Unfortunately, says the agency, some of the employers have fallen for the scam.
Cal/OSHA says that its inspectors will never request payment of fines onsite, under any circumstances, nor will an inspector request payment in lieu of citations. Employers should ask to see a state identification card and a business card. If the employer has suspicions about the individual’s identity, the employer can call Cal/OSHA’s local office for additional verification.
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